1103IB5 - Pilgrimage to Spain 10 days from Boston

Today, we depart our home airport to connect with our overnight flight aboard a wide-bodied jet. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner, and breakfast while aloft.

This morning, we arrive in Madrid and are welcomed by our Unitours Tour Manager as we board our motor coach for a tour of some of the major landmarks in this fabulous Spanish Capital City! We break for lunch on our own along our route before arriving at our hotel for our “welcome dinner” and overnight.

Today, we travel north to the town of Segovia and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and of St. Fructus, locally known simply as Segovia Cathedral. The original Cathedral was built in the early 14th century but was destroyed during the siege of Alcazar, which was adjacent to the Cathedral. It was rededicated after its completion in 1768, after the final stage of construction was finished. It was dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption and Segovia’s patron saint, St. Fructus, a Castilian hermit who had miracles attributed to him and who’s relics are now located in the Cathedral. We celebrate Mass while there and, following a break for lunch on our own, we then visit the famous Aqueduct of Segovia. One of the best examples of Roman architectural savvy, the aqueduct was constructed in the first century during the rule of Domitian and despite very little mortar being used between the carved stones, it has stood the test of time and remarkably still transported water, well into the nineteenth century! Our next stop is the Church of Vera Cruz, which was built in 1208 along the Crusade route to the Holy Land by the Order of the Holy Sepulcher. Modeled after the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, it features a 12-sided interior, one wall for each of the Apostles. We conclude our day in Segovia and return to Madrid in time for dinner and overnight.

This morning, we depart for the medieval city of Avila. We travel the Spanish countryside was we journey back in time to this medieval walled city. Our first stop is the Convent of St. Joseph. This monastery, which St. Teresa founded for her Carmelite sisters, is an incredibly special pilgrimage spot to even those who are not avid followers of beloved St. Teresa. We enjoy a tour and sometime in the museum dedicated to her as well. Following a break for lunch on our own, we visit the Cathedral of the Savior, more commonly referred to as the Avila Cathedral. Constructed in the 12th century and remodeled over the next six centuries, it is an imposing work of architecture and beauty. We celebrate Mass while there and complete our day in Avila. We return to Madrid for dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Today, we travel to nearby Toledo, located along the Tagus River. Toledo has a colorful history, spending much of the first millennium under Muslim rule. We begin at the Cathedral of Toledo, which was started in 1226AD but not completed until over 250 years later, in 1493AD! Using multiple colors of marble, adorned with stucco figurines and bronze castings, this Cathedral dramatically stands apart from most churches in the area built at that time. We celebrate Mass while there. After a break for lunch on our own, we continue our visit to the Franciscan Monastery known by “Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes,” which translates to the Monastery of St. John of the Monarchs but refers to St. John the Evangelist. Built in 1477AD by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to celebrate the birth of their son, Prince John. We complete our time in Toledo and travel back to Madrid for dinner at a restaurant near our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

This morning, we visit artistic Madrid, including the Gate of Alcala, Retiro Park, the Puerta del Sol, the Royal Palace, and the famous Prado Museum, the Gran Via Plaza de España, the Viaduct, the Bull Ring, Independence and Cibeles Squares, the University, and the Paseo de la Castellana. We break for lunch on our own along our route and enjoy the remainder of the day with free time for leisure, last minute shopping or some sightseeing on our own before we make our way to our restaurant for a special meal and show afterward. We return to our hotel for overnight.

Today, we journey southwest to the town of Guadalupe and the Royal Monastery of St. Mary of Guadalupe. Built in the fourteenth century to mark the spot of the appearance of a mysterious statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was discovered along a shallow riverbed by a local shepherd. He named it Our Lady of Guadalupe and some of the locals built a chapel nearby. Following a visit to the now popular pilgrimage site, King Alphonso XI, following recent military victory, ordered a more “royal” church to be built. Hieronymite monks (cloistered monks under the Order of St. Jerome) maintained the monastery. It is said that the famous explorer, Christopher Columbus, made a pilgrimage here following his return from the Americas. Eventually the monastery fell into disrepair until the Franciscan Order took over the maintenance and revived it to its current appearance. We celebrate Mass while here, and following a break for lunch on our own, continue our journey to the southern city of Seville. We arrive at our hotel for dinner and overnight in Seville.

This morning, we visit the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Sea, locally known simply as the Seville Cathedral. Like many of the Cathedrals and Basilicas in Spain, the original building was a mosque. It is an enormous church, as it is the largest Gothic style Cathedral in the world! Eventually completed in the sixteenth century, its many chapels hold some impressive tombs, Ferdinand II and his son, Prince Alfonso are entombed here. Located in yet another chapel is the tomb of Christopher Columbus and his son Diego. Following a break for lunch on our own, the balance of the day is free for personal adventure, shopping, or optional personal excursions. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Today, we travel east to the city of Cordoba. We visit the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, known officially as Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, it was built on the original mosque which dates back to the eighth century, under Abd al-Rahman I, the first Emir of Cordoba, and was expanded multiple times until 1236, when it was converted to a Cathedral. Over the centuries only minor changes were made. Known for its “Hall of Columns,” it is truly a gem to behold. Following a stop for lunch on our own, we travel to the Hermitage of El Rocio to view the Madonna of El Rocio. This birchwood statue of the Virgin with Child has on its back the inscription Our Lady of Remedies but has been known as The Virgin of El Rocio since arriving at the hermitage sometime in the early fourteenth century. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries it became popular to dress the stature, like the Infant Jesus of Prague. The garments have been regularly updated since that time. The origin of statue and its carver remain unknown. We return to our hotel in Seville for our “farewell dinner” and overnight in Seville.

This morning, we transfer to the airport in Seville for our short flight to Madrid, connecting us to our return flight back to the USA. We leave with unforgettable memories to cherish always.